LOOKING back a little over 54 years ago to the summer of 1967, there were reports in the Railway Observer of diversions over the Mid-Hants route, which enabled the completion of the Bournemouth Line electrification (that had started in 1965) and the introduction of the new enhanced timetable with three trains per hour formed of new electric multiple units replacing steam.
This enabled the recently introduced VEP units to work on the Waterloo to Basingstoke/Bournemouth stopping services, while the steamhauled Bournemouth line expresses were replaced by REP and TC formations of BR Mk.1 design.
Whilst the REP units were purpose-built, the TC units were nonpowered conversions of ex-Western Region loco-hauled stock. The TCs were designed to work through to Weymouth, being detached from the Waterloo to Bournemouth portion at Bournemouth and hauled by a class 33/1 diesel locomotive. The ‘33’ always remained attached at the country (Weymouth) end and worked in a push/ pull arrangement.